mitchell



(NoModeL) B. B. MITCHELL.

BED BOTTOM.

N0. 328.241 Patented Oct. 13, 1885.

iii names,

Nv PETERs Phmu-Lnho n mr. Wnhinginn, DJ;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN B. MITCHELL, OF -BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

BED-BOTTOM.

fiPECIEICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 328,241, dated October 13, 188

Application filed March 10, 1885. Serial No. 158,361.

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that LBENJAMIN B.l\IITOHELL, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bed-Bottoms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of folding bed-bottoms which are composed of two spring -supporting frames connected by flexible bars which permit the frames to be folded against or upon each other with the springs attached to the two frames resting against each other. In such bed-bottoms ofordinary construction the length of the flexible connecting-bars is limited by the distances at which the rows of springs are arranged apart,whereby the flexible connectingbars are necessarily made so short that the springs of the two frames will interfere with each other in folding the bottom, thereby pressing the springs out of shape.

The object of my invention is to remedy this difficulty by connecting the two frames by extensible connections, which are capable of being lengthened in folding the bottom and shortened in unfolding it.

Another object of my invention is to improve the construction of the springs and supporting-frames.

My invention consists to these ends of the improvements which will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel is a top plan view of my improved bed-bottom with the springs shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same,on an enlarged scale,showing the bed-bottom unfolded. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the bed-bottom folded. Fig. 4. is alongitudinal section of the clamp applied to the extensible connecting bars. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 6 isaside view of one of the sway-braces. Fig. 7 is aside elevation of one of the springs. Fig. 8 is a top plan view thereof.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A A represent the spring-supporting frames, each composed of longitudinal bars a and crossbars a rigidly secured together.

A represents the springs secured with their lower contracted ends to thelongitudinal bars (No model.)

a. The latter are arranged below the crosspieces a, so that the pressure applied to the springs is directly applied to the longitudinal bars a which rest on the slats of the bed'frame, thereby preventing the bars a from becoming bent by this pressure, which occurs when these bars are arranged above the cross-pieces a.

1) represents the flexible connectingbars secured to the frames A in line with the crossbars a, and B represents clamps secured to the frames A for securing the bars b thereto. The clamps B consist. each of a frame, 0, secured to the bar a, anda clamping cam or eccentric, d, provided with a hand-lever, D. The flexible bar b rests on the frame 0 between the side pieces thereof, and passes underneath the clamping-cam (I, so that upon loweringthe lever D the bar I) is firmly clamped in the frame 0 by the cam d, while upon raising the lever D the barb is free to slide on the frame a.

6 represents a shoulder or stop formed on the end of each bar b to prevent the entire separation of the frames A A,and f is a shoulder or stop secured to each bar b to arrest the closing movement of the frames,when the latter have reached their proper relative position in unfolding the bed-bottom.

When it is desired to fold the bed-bottom, the clamps B are released and the frames A A separated as far as the sliding bars b will permit, which movement is limited by the stops 6. In this manner the connecting-bars between the frames A A are lengthened before folding the frames A A upon each other, and the increased length of the connectingbars so obtained permits the rows of springs to fold against each other, as represented in Fig. 3, with each row in its proper position without being crowded or deflected by the other springs. Upon unfolding the bed-bottom the bars b slide in the clamps B until the stops f on the bars 12 strike against the clamps, whereby the connections are shortened so as to bring the frames A A into their proper relative position. In this position of the frames the bars I) are secured by the clamps B,whereby both frames are rigidly connected. The frames 0 of the clamps are preferably provided with rollers g to facilitate the movements of 100 the bars b in the frames 0.

t represents stiffening-bars secured lengthwise to the upper ends of the springs in the outermostvrow on each of the frames A A.

I represents bent or C-shaped sway-braces secured with their lower ends to the longitudinal bars a of the frames A A and with their upper ends to the bars i, thereby steadying the springs against lateral vibrations.

a represents a longitudinal bar provided with a row of springs and applied to the con: necting-bars b when an odd number of rows of springs is used. The bar a is connected with the bars b by staples h in which the bars I) slide, and the bar a is steadied by diagonal:

chains h extending from said bar to the adjacent springs on the frames A A.

j represents an eye formedin the top coil of eachspring A. at itsjunction with the next lowercoil and depressed belowthe upper surface of. the top coil.

7c representsa hook formed at-the end of the top coil and depressedbelow the latter toengage in the eye j, whereby the top coil is made horizontal over almost its entire length,forming alarge and firm support for the bedding placed :on the bed-bottom.

I am awarethat-it isrnot new to connect the slats byv flexible bars which are attach ed to the slats by. sliding connections and clamps which permit the bed-bottom to be collapsed by sliding the slats against-each other upon releasing the clampsof the connecting-bars, or to be rolledby bending all of the connecting bars and-I do not claim such construction.

I claim as my invention 1. The combinatiomwith two frames, AA, each composed of slats a and cross-bars-a, rigidly secured together and provided with springsA of flexible connecting-bars 6, secured to one frame and attached to'the other frame by sliding connections, whereby the.

connecting-bars can be lengthened for folding the frames with theends of the springs resting against each other, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination,with two frames, AA, each composed of slats a and cross-bars a, rigidly. secured together and provided with springs A of flexible connecting-bars b, secured to one frame and sliding in attachments on .the other frame, and clamps whereby the sliding ends of the connecting-bars are secured when adj usted,substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with two frames, A A,

.each composed of slats a and cross-bars a,

rigidly secured together and provided with springs A of flexible connecting-bars Z2, provided with stops 6 and f, and having fixed connectionswith one frame and sliding connections with the other frame, and the clamps B, whereby the sliding ends of the connecting-bars are secured, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the spring-supporting frames A A, of the flexible bars b and the'clamps B, composed of frames 0, cams d, levers D, and rollers g, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the frames A A, each composed of slats a and cross-bars a, rigidly secured together and provided with springs A of the flexible connecting-bars 12, secured to one frame and attached to the other frame by sliding connections, a longitudinal bar, a connecting the flexible bars 1) between the frames A A, and springs secured to the bars I), which springs assume a horizontal position when the frames A A each other, substantially as setforth.

BENJAMIN B. MITCHELL.

Witnesses:

O. F. GEYER, Oso. LEHAUL.

are folded upon- 

